When fans think about NBA forwards, names like Giannis Antetokounmpo, Jayson Tatum, Kevin Durant and LeBron James, among others, are the ones who dominate the category.
However, several others made a huge impact for their teams last season but didn’t receive the rightful spotlight for it.
Players such as Aaron Gordon of the Denver Nuggets, Naji Marshall and Santi Aldama of the Dallas Mavericks and Toumani Camara of the Portland Trail Blazers have significantly impacted their teams, shaped their identities and provided strong value. They have flown under the radar but have become reliable contributors.
First is Gordon, who averaged 16.2 points, 5.8 rebounds and 2.7 assists in just 36 matchups, as several injuries plagued him. Despite the limited games he suited up for the Nuggets, he remained a versatile two-way player who has made a career through cutting to the basket and playing solid defense.
Gordon was also a vital piece in Denver’s 2023 NBA title run. He gave up the role of being the primary creator of his former team, the Orlando Magic, when he got traded to the Nuggets in 2021. Since then, the two-time NBA Slam Dunk runner-up has slowly faded away from national consciousness and fully embraced his role with the franchise.
Next is Naji Marshall, who’s coming off a career year in his second campaign with the Mavericks. He racked up 15.2 points, 4.7 rebounds and 3.3 assists in 74 games.
Marshall also notched his best shooting performance, knocking down 51.0% from the field. He received a bigger role on offense and thrived. The undrafted player out of Xavier became a reliable two-way player for Dallas and provided massive help in the development of its prized rookie, Cooper Flagg.
The improvement earned Marshall a three-year, $52 million fully guaranteed contract extension earlier this month to stay with the franchise until the 2029-30 season.
Third on the list is Aldama. Even though he was part of a recent trade between the Memphis Grizzlies and Dallas, he left a solid impact with his previous team. The sweet-shooting Spaniard also had his best season last year, registering career numbers of 14.0 points, 6.7 rebounds and 2.9 assists.
He became a spark off the bench for the Grizzlies and was their fifth-best scorer. Aldama’s biggest asset is his ability to stretch the floor while being efficient. His current three-year contract is still in effect, but his $17 million value remains a steal for Dallas, which will have another versatile forward who also plays solid defense.
Finally, let’s highlight Camara, who enjoyed a career year with the Blazers. He was a starter throughout the 2025-26 season and produced 13.4 points, 5.1 rebounds and 2.5 assists. He was an important player for Portland, which reached the postseason before being eliminated by the eventual Western Conference champions, the San Antonio Spurs, in five games.
With the return of superstar guard Damian Lillard and the arrival of Ja Morant, Camara’s offensive load will be reduced. However, he could still prove his worth on the defensive end and lock up the best players from opposing teams.
Gordon, Marshall, Aldama and Camara have exemplified underrated excellence through consistency, versatility on both ends and culture-building. These traits make them underrated by fans but big-value players for their respective teams.
